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May 2, 2024

Louisiana Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.6

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 83 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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Ed Robins from Philadelphia, PA (1/23/2013) "Organized, flat marathon" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran this race as my Louisiana marathon and I'm glad I did. Its a very impressive race especially when you consider its only the second year for the race. The expo was just what'd you expect from a mid-sized race (900 full, 1800 half) like this. Enough booths to maybe catch a deal or buy a last minute need but not a mammoth all day shopping event (fine by me). Parking was free and I got in and out effortlessly. Race morning was also stress free. I arrived just before 6:00 (7:00 am start) and easily found free parking. I was able to use the port-a-potties up to 6:45 with very little wait. I didn't use gear check as it wasn't too cold so I can't comment on how that went. The course is advertised as flat and it certainly is. We hit a few overpasses but otherwise even folks from the midwest couldn't complain. One thing to be careful about is the road quality the first mile and a half or so. It may be the worst I've ever run on. I saw 3 people fall. Its made worse because of the normal early race crowding so its hard to see the potholes and cracks until you're upon them. This is only the first mile or so and after that I feel the roads are in very good condition. In fact I worried that I might encounter the same bad roads the final mile or so (a scary thought when you're so tired at the end) but they were fine. The first half of the race is very pretty. We wind thru the LSU campus and thru some parks around a lake. There were some very nice views of the rising sun shining off the water. The second half of the race is pleasent enough but hardly scenic. Its mainly run thru a series of neighborhoods that do get a little monotonous. There is also a long out and back section from miles 15 to 22 that is mentally taxing. There are plenty of water stops. In fact I bet there were more than I've ever encountered. They all had sports drink (Poweraid) and many had gels. Also the poweraid flavor was changed up from stop to stop, a nice touch. The stops were not all set up the same way however and all the cups said poweraid even if they contained water. I know it sounds nitpicky but late in a marathon when a runner is tired it really helps when every stop is the same and the cups acurately reflect their contents. I thought there were enough port-a-potties on the course and the race directors wisely put more the early miles. So many races don't get that. I had to catch a flight so I wasn't able to go the post race area but it seemed to be a lot of fun. I was handed a bottle of water at the finish line but there was nothing else. I would've loved a bananna or some other simple post race food right there especially since I couldn't make it to the main food area. I gave the fans 4 stars. I admit that I'm grading on a curve but I was very impressed with how many folks were out for a smaller race only in its second year. Clearly the directors are doing something right to drum up community support. You get a nice tech shirt and a very nice medal.
T. K. from USA (1/23/2013) "Excellent race, but need better post-race support" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is definitely one of the best organized race I had participated (#27)! Course is absolutely beautiful and flat, and the course support was unmatched at any other race! We were blessed with perfect weather as well. The only comment I have for the race directors is to give the marathoners better post-race support! You really have to look hard to find the jambalaya available, and there is nothing other than a bottle of water readily available for the marathoners who finished around 4 hours! No sight of oranges/bananas or anything else.
T. J. from New Orleans, LA (1/22/2013) "Best finish line party ever!" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Kudos to the race organizers of this event - they did a fabulous job. What really set this race apart from the others I've done was the finish line party. Hands down the best post race party I've ever attended - a never ending supply of beer, jambalaya, ice cream, cochon du lait, red beans and rice, gumbo, and a dozen other local specialties. The music acts were great - the Hot 8 brass band was fantastic. I am from New Orleans and the party was very much like a mini Jazz Fest, only less crowded, more affordable, and better food! Highly recommened it for anyone outside of Louisiana looking for a destination race.
S. S. from Dallas, Texas (1/22/2013) "Great job Louisiana!" (about: 2013) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I can not say enough great things about the Louisiana Marathon. We had a beautiful course with lots of shade, perfect weather, supportive spectators - even the BRPD cheered us on, tons of water stops, great mile markers, nice expo, the list goes on.... This was my first race in my home state. So proud of Louisiana for putting on a great race!!!!
K. M. from New Hampshire (1/22/2013) "A great marathon!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race was exactly as advertised wiht a very accommodating staff, more than friendly runners. The weather was perfect and the course was interesting and relatively flat. The aid stations were well stocked with lots of enthusiasistic volunteers. I would only ask that the water stops have some consistency with the order of water and poweraid Actually, this is a very petty issue on a more than well orchestrated event. I highly recommend it!
M. M. from Lafayette, LA (1/22/2013) "Louisiana can be proud of this race" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Louisiana Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The staff has proven for two years in a row that they can organize and execute a high quality race. The abundance of volunteers and support was much appreciated. Packet pickup and expo was easy. The course is improved and still includes the very beautiful scenes of the capital city. As much water, powerade, gels, fruit, port-o-potties, etc. as a person could want. The crowd support is even growing, which is great. Nice tech shirt and cool medal. The after race celebration appeared to be outstanding. No detail was ignored in my opinion. This is a must do Louisiana race.
D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (1/22/2013) "I strongly recommend this marathon!" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Pros: 1) beautiful course 2) flat course 3) beautiful weather 4) nice shirt and medal 5) nice after party 6) conveniently located hotels (at reasonable prices) - walking distance to race start and finish 7) could wait indoors before race 8) aid stations every mile with gels available at a lot of them 9) name announced at finish line 10) easy packet pickup (very organized) 11) great pacers (I did not stay with pacer after mile 17, but Heather had us exactly on pace) 12) strongly recommend staying at the Hilton at the Capital (later checkout at 1:00 p.m., but I was not ready to go until 2:30 p.m., but they still did not charge extra) 13) volunteers at packet pickup, aid stations and after the race were awesome! 14) traffic control was extremely well done...never felt concerned about safety Cons: I don't have any.
S. K. from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (1/21/2013) "50 Staters...This is the race to run for Louisana" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I signed up for this race based on last year's reviews and so glad I did. Nice small airport, easy town to navigate, and walking around downtown was great. With regards to the race, the pros: 1. Lots of water stops. And they changed up the poweraid flavors at each stop. 2. Expo small but efficient. Even allowed you to exchange shirt sizes. 3. Plenty of parking downtown to the start. 4. Start & finish line in same area. Walking distance from downtown hotels. 5. Lots of free food at the finish line, available to spectators too. 6. Overall the course was nice, the first part was a bit mundane, but once you hit the LSU campus and around the lake, that was enjoyable. Cons 1. They ran out of chocolate milk even before the half marathoners had finished. Can't imagine the marathoners were too happy about this. 2. Pasta dinner was okay, not great. Two pasta options (but you could only have one), ran out of bread, buffet closed before you could get seconds. 3. After exiting the finish line area, it was a walk back to the post race area. Oranges & bananas left on a table for anyone to help themselves, including spectators. Same goes for the food. Hopefully they didn't run out of food for the marathoners. 4. Host hotels claimed to offer late check out but only to the first handful of folks that asked. After that, it was a noon check out. 5. Lots of potholes. Overall, it was a great weekend. Perfect weather, nice course, well organized race, especially since it was only their second event.
M. O. from Dallas (1/21/2013) "My favorite so far" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you want to run a scenic, flat* (there is one overpass that is out and back so you pass over it at mile 1.5 and 24.5), fast course, come to Baton Rouge. The weather has been perfect this time of year for 2 years in a row. I had a great time and enjoyed the entire course. I didn't make it to the after party b/c I was going to lunch with my family but I saw the spread and it looked great. I'll def be back to this race soon. Here's a breakdown of my thoughts. Pros: Very organized great communication via Facebook and email Beautiful course Lots and lots of water/powerade stops Lots of food on the course Amazing start/finish location The spectators were great, neighborhood residents were friendly Things that could improve: the expo was cramped, need a bigger location with more signage telling people how to get to it. More signage on race day for port-o-potties, start, etc. It was a little confusing to get to. Once I found them, the lines were really short though. I would have like something at the finish line other than just a bottle of water. I know the finish festival was huge but it was a good walk away and runners need access to something, even a protein bar or bagel immediately after finishing.
A. C. from Caribbean (5/30/2012) "Lovely!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Louisiana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow! If this is Baton Rouge's first attempt, I can only imagine how great this run will be as the race continues to grow and improve. The expo was small but had good variety and nice merchandise. The course was absolutely gorgeous. Having flown in to New Orleans and driven, I had a pretty bad impression of Baton Rouge from the highways. The course was 100% gorgeous - from start at the capital to the loop through the U, the lovely homes, the downtown areas, and so on..... What a pretty town. The radio announcer at about mile 8 was a riot. The added touch of handing out candy was fun. Although there weren't lots of spectators, I felt those that came out were very supportive of everyone. The finish was great - from food to massage and general support. Excellent work! Kudos to the organizers and to the city government for its programs encouraging health and exercise.

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